How do you get rid of prairie dogs?

A:

Quick Answer

Prairie dogs create burrows underground that ruin yards and gardens and present a dangerous situation for people and animals walking above the burrows. Remove prairie dogs from your yard in a week using habitat alteration and toxic baiting. You need garden tools, rolled oats and a bait treated with a toxin such as zinc phosphide.

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Create a visual barrier

Prairie dogs prefer to burrow in areas with low grass so they can see predators approaching. Use fences, hay bales and tall plants to block the prairie dogs' view and make your yard a less suitable habitat.

Place a prebait around burrows

Place 1 heaping teaspoon of plain rolled oats around the mouth of each prairie dog mound. Repeat this process for several days until the bait is readily taken. This predisposes the prairie dogs to take the bait when you present the toxic bait.

Apply toxic bait

Place 1 heaping teaspoon of grain or oats treated with a toxin such as zinc phosphide around the mouth of each mound in the same way you placed the prebait. Make sure not to apply too much bait, as excess bait can negatively affect livestock and other wildlife in the area. Avoid disturbing the area for three days after applying toxic bait.

Remove dead animals

Remove or bury any carcasses that are found above ground to prevent poisoning other animals. Watch for active and abandoned burrows to evaluate the success of the treatment. Abandoned burrows are often filled with spider webs and debris, while active burrows are clean and surrounded by tracks and digging marks.